How can I help the earthquake zone?

Two major earthquakes centered in Pazarcık and Elbistan in Kahramanmaraş caused many cities to be deeply affected. Due to the great level of destruction of the cities, there is an intense demand for help from distant cities to the earthquake zone, both psychologically and physically. Even if you cannot go to the earthquake zone to help, you can take advantage of the possibilities of digital. Let's take a look at how you can support those in the area as search and rescue efforts continue after two major earthquakes and a lot of help is needed.

How Can I Help the Earthquake Zone Remotely?

In the aftermath of two major earthquakes, the needs for food, care, toilets and clothing continue to increase in about ten cities affected. Therefore, as time passes after the earthquake, the aid level of the regions increases. Although you do not have the chance to go to the region, there are many steps you can take such as donating blood, preparing aid packages and supporting organizations. Let's evaluate together the methods you can apply to help earthquake victims remotely.

Volunteering in Cities' Charity Activities

After the Kahramanmaraş earthquake, which created a great social and psychological destruction for our country, aid packages are being prepared in many cities. Aid boxes prepared in some centers are highly supported by people in line with certain needs. Therefore, even if you cannot go to the earthquake area, you can voluntarily help by participating in the aid activities organized to help earthquake victims from a distance.

Donating to Charities

Donating to charities is one of the most reliable ways to help remotely to an earthquake zone. If you want to make a financial donation for earthquake victims, you can participate in aid campaigns organized by organizations such as AFAD, AHBAP, KIZILAY or AKUT. In addition to financial aid, lists are also published for additional needs in these charities. Therefore, thanks to reliable organizations, even if you cannot go to the earthquake area, you can help the region in many ways.

Avoiding Disinformation

After major disasters such as earthquakes, the use of social media becomes much more important than it normally is. Therefore, the sharing of sensitive images or news that do not reflect the truth about the earthquake region is starting to become widespread. Disinformation, which we cannot prevent due to the fake news that becomes widespread during earthquake periods, not only affects those in the earthquake area, but also poses a psychological problem for other cities. For this reason, you can protect social psychology by avoiding the disinformation caused by fake news on social media in order to support the earthquake zone even from a distance.

Donating Blood

The help that tens of thousands of people rescued from the earthquake rubble may need most is blood. Therefore, by donating blood to organizations such as AFAD and KIZILAY, you can be a ray of hope for many lives. At this point, you can follow the announcement calendar of many organizations for a conscious blood donation. In addition, after logging in to the updated website of the Red Crescent, you can view the centers of your city where you can donate blood from the "Donation Points" page.

Buying Support Cards

E-commerce sites such as Trendyol, Amazon and Hepsiburada have special cards prepared by support organizations to be delivered to the earthquake zone. You can provide financial assistance to the earthquake zone by purchasing these support cards for a financial fee of your choice. By purchasing earthquake support cards of aid organizations such as AHBAP or Kızılay, you can provide remote assistance even if you cannot go to the region.

Using E-commerce Channels

The Ministry of Commerce of the Republic of Turkey launched an “earthquake assistance mobilization in e-commerce”. Digital marketplaces that are active in the digital mobilization, which will be carried out on a voluntary basis, as well as the sellers there, cargo and logistics businesses can participate. Therefore, you can prepare a special needs basket for the earthquake zone from shopping platforms such as Amazon, Hepsiburada or Trendyol. Then, you can help the region, even from a distance, by selecting the earthquake region according to the delivery options of the site.

Using Social Media Carefully

We mentioned that it is important to use social media carefully in days when we are having social difficulties. In addition to disinformation on social media, the sensitivity of the images and news shared is also of great importance. Images of the earthquake under the debris or videos of the shaking moments can cause a psychological depression. Therefore, by paying attention to the sensitive images you share on social media, you can protect the social psychology as well as support the earthquake zone.

Not Busy Phone Lines

Reaching our loved ones in times of earthquake may be our greatest need. However, we should not forget that communication is very important in the earthquake zone as well. Therefore, in order not to occupy the phone lines, you can communicate via SMS or you can use applications such as WhatsApp with internet channels to talk. In this way, the telephone lines will not be busy and the communication of people in the earthquake zone will be supported.

Donate SMS

One of the effective ways you can help remotely in times of earthquakes is SMS donations. You can be a hope for many families again with your SMS donations to organizations to help earthquake victims. You can donate by sending a message to the numbers designated for AFAD, AHBAP, KIZILAY or AKUT using fixed numbers designated for SMS.

Being Aware of Earthquake

In order to be protected from natural disasters such as earthquakes, it is necessary to develop earthquake awareness to a large extent. In order to be ready for earthquake disasters that may occur in the future, you can prepare an earthquake kit for yourself or have information about emergencies. Thanks to the earthquake awareness in question, you can be a beacon of hope both for yourself and for the people around you.

We have come to the end of the earthquake zone aid guide we have prepared. We express our condolences to those who lost their lives during the difficult days we are going through as a country and wish patience to their relatives.

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